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THE 



AMERICAN LUTHERAN MISSION 



WITH AN 



APPEAL IN ITS BEHALF 



BEING 



AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE MEETING 



or THE 



GENERAL SYNOD OF THE EVANG. LUTH. CHURCH, 



AT 



PHILADELPHIA, MAY 16, 1845. 



BY REV. J. FEW SMITH, 



OF WINCHESTER, VA. 



PUBLISHED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



ALBANY: 

ERASTUS H. PEASE. 

1845. 



THE 



AMERICAN LUTHERAN MISSION, 



WITH AN 



APPEAL IN ITS BEHALF : 



BEING 



AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE MEETING 



OF THE 



GENERAL SYNOD OF THE EVANG. LUTH. CHURCH, 



AT 



PHILADELPHIA, MAY 16. 1845. 



r/ 



BY REV. J. FEW SMITH, 

OF WINCHESTER, VA. 



PUBLISHED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



ALBANY: 

ERASTUS H. PEASE. 

1845. 



4r ^s 



ALBANY: 
PRINTED BY MUNSELL AND TANNEK. 



ADDRESS. 



My Christian Friends : 

In the selection of a subject on which to 
address you, I have been guided, in a large 
measure, by the wish of your executive commit- 
tee. I had drawn up for my own monthly 
missionary meeting a narrative of the formation 
of oiir Foreign Missionary Society. The knowl- 
edge of this fact, doubtless, led the committee 
to select him who now speaks to you, for the 
performance of a duty, which he begged might 
be committed to more experienced and abler 
hands. In compliance with their request, that 
narrative is now presented, somewhat enlarged, 
and accompanied by remarks intended to en- 
force its teachings. 

Although the Foreign Missionary operations 
of our church are of comparatively recent origin, 
it cannot be supposed that our ministers and 
people have been, hitherto, entirely uninterest- 
ed in the great work of preaching the gospel 
to the heathen. The charge of negligence 



does, indeed, justly rest upon them ; and yet, 
perhaps, this charge should not be so heavily 
made as it is, by some individuals ; nor is the 
negligence so gross as, without examination it 
appears to be. Various causes have combined 
to delay their efforts in this direction. For a 
long time, the position and character of the 
Lutheran church in this land, were, to a great 
degree, those of a missionary church. Long 
after the first planting of the church in this wes- 
tern world by missions from Europe, and its es- 
tablishment by the arduous labors of the pious 
and devoted men of God, its founders, whose 
memories we ought gratefully to cherish ; min- 
isters and houses of worship continued to be 
few in number. Our people were numerous in 
some sections of the country, but in others were 
widely scattered. Emigrants from the father- 
land were constantly flowing in. Immense 
fields white for the harvest spread themselves 
out before the eye, and but few were the labor- 
ers to enter in and reap. And it is no wonder, 
nor is it justly a matter for severe censure, that 
the attention of the people was chiefly directed 
to the desolations of Zion at home. The chil- 
dren were crying for bread. Their own kindred 
and countrymen were perishing for lack of 



knowledge. They seemed unable to meet their 
wants. How then could they assist strangers 
afar off? 

In domestic missions our church has from 
the outset been busy. Her efforts have not, in- 
deed, been altogether commensurate with her 
ability, nor with the extent of labor called for; 
yet they have been commendable, and produc- 
tive of a great amount of good. But she had 
not yet learned the great truth, accordant with 
all philosophy, and confirmed by experience, 
that giving crumbs to the stranger does but provide 
more bread for the children. Nay, many of her 
ministers and members seem to be yet ignorant 
of the fact, that foreign missionary exertions 
serve to give greater vigor to efforts at home — 
to infuse a livelier activity into Christian bene- 
volence, and to pervade every part of the Chris- 
tian life with a healthier tone. Our church also 
seemed to forget that Christ's command to preach 
the gospel to men, included in its extent the 
whole world. She was blame-worthy because 
of her short-sightedness and want of faith : be- 
cause she did not understand more clearly, that 
true benevolence is strengthened, not weaken- 
ed, by judicious extension. Its seat and centre 
may be at home ; but its influence may radiate 



far and wide, and it will be but the more vigo- 
rous. 

Within a few years past, however, a new 
spirit has been awakened ; and those who had 
longed to see the Lutheran church doing her 
part in the great work of the Redeemer, and 
who had themselves learned the duty and the 
value of missionary efforts, have been made to 
rejoice. She has now fairly embarked in this 
cause ; and may the great Head of the church 
crown her enterprise with abundant success, 
and enrich her more and more with his grace. 

It cannot be doubted by those who know 
the effect of vital godliness upon the active life, 
that the newly awakened interest in missions 
to which allusion is here made, is to be traced, 
in no small degree, to the increase of piety, and 
the revival of true religion, with which our Zion 
has in late years been favored. Nor would it be 
difficult to convince the observing Christian, that 
this revival of religion does, in turn, partake 
somewhat of the nature of an effect of the in- 
creased activity in efforts for the world's con- 
version. To every one who has even a slight 
acquaintance with the past and present con- 
dition of the Lutheran church in the United 
States, it must be evident, that she has within 



the last ten, or twenty years, assumed a more 
prominent position, manifested a more active 
spirit, and exhibited a more attractive charac- 
ter, than were formerly observed as pertaining 
to her. Her principles, drawn from the pure 
fountain of eternal truth, were, indeed, ever 
fondly cherished by her people; and wrought 
in multitudes of souls, a deep pervading piety, 
a holy trust in God, and unceasing efforts after 
a holy life. Nor is her ministry, or her mem- 
bership, destitute of stars which shall shine in 
the firmament of heaven forever : men and wo- 
men who, being dead yet speak; who were 
worthy descendants of the spirits of the Refor- 
mation, and adorned the doctrine of God our 
Saviour. And we utter no reproach on them 
when we say, that the church which they loved 
has made advances in Christian activity. Were 
they living they would rejoice to behold the 
improvement of their beloved Zion. And there 
are still lingering among us many who breathe 
their spirit; aged fathers and mothers, linking 
us to past generations of the church, whom God 
still spares, to direct, by their matured judg- 
ment and piety, the course of more ardent 
minds ; to watch over and rejoice in the really 
prosperous advances of their church. That 



8 

such advances have been made, however, is 
evident. I will not say that they have been alto- 
gether good, unmingled with evil. In all seasons 
of excitement and progress some evil will mingle 
with the good ; some things will be introduced 
which are only excrescences. The imperfec- 
tions of human nature have, especially at such 
a time, a great tendency to make themselves 
manifest. Some men have more heart than in- 
tellect; some more zeal than discretion: while 
the discretion of others sometimes degenerates 
into inaction. Some men will run before God, 
and others fail to follow even where God di- 
rects. All Christians have not as much charity 
as they ought to have; and the strong often 
forget to bear the infirmities of the weak. Some 
disciples have Peter's hasty temper, and others 
are hesitating like Thomas: the calm, but 
deeply feeling, persevering, devoted Johns are 
somewhat more rare. Hence we sometimes find 
one brother charging another with rashness, 
and over-heated zeal; and another retorting 
with the accusation of coldness, formality, and 
want of piety. From different and diverse 
quarters the cry is heard — "This is the way; 
walk ye in it." And, then, feelings of ambition, 
a desire of display, or of power, trouble some 



hearts. Now all these imperfections have been 
exhibited in the movement of our church. 
Who can deny it ? But what then ? She has 
gone forward. Her Lord and Master has watch- 
ed over her and blessed her. His spirit has 
been poured upon her — new life has been in- 
fused into her whole being. Hundreds of Chris- 
tians have been born within her motherly home, 
"born of the spirit." Her energies have been 
called forth — she has cast off her lethargy, and 
is beginning to rise in her strength — and in the 
strength of the Lord. And what though some 
indiscretions have accompanied such a move- 
ment — some false conversions, some imprudent 
actions, some angry feelings, some separations 
of friends — evils deeply to be regretted ? Yet, 
shall we not own the blessing ? — Own that our 
Zion has been revived, and bless Grod for the 
revival? The calm and stagnant pool may 
seem clear at first and beautiful to behold ; but 
left to its calmness it becomes putrid and loath- 
some. The lake tossed by winds may cast up 
mire and dirt ; but its waters when it subsides, 
will be only the purer and more beautiful for 
the commotion and expulsion. Nearly all good 
is accompanied by some evil — and evil is sel- 
dom unmixed. Need we then fear ? The Lord 

2 



10 

is ruling, and the church is his care, and He can 
turn even curses into blessing. Let us all re- 
joice in the life that is awakened, and turn it 
to good account. 

Now one of the fruits of this onward move- 
ment of our church, is her engaging in the mis- 
sionary cause. This assertion needs no formal 
proof. It is evident, that as we awoke more 
and more to our condition and our duty, we 
heard more distinctly the cry of the destitute; 
and feeling more deeply the value of our privi- 
leges, and realizing more fully the living, ac- 
tive, and expansive nature of Christianity, the 
church came up to the work of the Lord with 
energy. The whole church, in all her parts, 
has been made to feel this new life. Scarcely 
even a remote and minute member of the great 
body has escaped its influence, in some form or 
degree. At the same time, her engaging in the 
missionary cause, a fruit of this revival, has 
helped to keep alive in her the spirit of active 
piety, and to increase her improvement at home. 
Just as the leaves and the fruit of the forest tree, 
falling around its roots, supply it with warmth 
and nourishment for the support and growth of 
another season. And this reciprocity, a most 
beautiful feature in all God's operations in na- 



11 

ture and in grace, is constantly upheld. The 
more we improve God's blessings, the more we 
are blessed. Yielding to the holy spirit, secures 
for us more of the power and presence of the 
holy spirit. The grace of God has revived us, 
and we have been made active. Our activity 
has qualified us for more grace, and God has 
again blessed us. And so will it be. As the 
growing plant by its exhalations purifies the at- 
mosphere which contributes to it nourishment, 
so the out-goings of a missionary spirit tend to 
purify our Christian benevolence, and to render 
the atmosphere of the church at home more 
healthful and bracing. Let us thank the Lord 
for his unspeakable goodness ; and seeing that 
he has in this set time so favored Zion, let us 
give him praise, be faithful to his cause, take 
encouragement, and apply ourselves more dili- 
gently to the promotion of his glory. 

To return now to my more immediate object, 
from which I have somewhat, though, I trust, 
not unprofitably, digressed, I will present a nar- 
rative of our foreign missionary operations up 
to the present time, compiled from such mate- 
rials as I have been enabled to obtain : hoping 
that such a narrative will not be without inte- 
rest to our minds, and profitable effect upon our 
hearts. 



12 

At the Seventh General Synod of the Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Church in the United States, 
convened at Baltimore in October, 1833, it was 
resolved : # "That a standing committee consist- 
ing of onemember from each synod in connec- 
tion with this body, be appointed, to be called the 
Missionary Committee, who shall submit at each 
meeting of this body, a report embracing all 
such information on the subject of missions as 
they shall deem important and necessary to be 
published, for promoting the interests of the 
missionary cause." The Committee appointed 
in accordance with this resolution, reported at 
the next (eighth) General Synod, assembled at 
York, Pa., in June, 1835. Their report is a long 
and valuable document, ably written, entering 
at large into the subject, and considering some 
of the causes which have retarded missionary 
operations, and setting forth the importance of 
this work. It is highly worthy of preservation, 
and of careful perusal. It contains also an ex- 
pression of the truth upon which we have 
slightly dwelt, that there exists a close connex- 
ion between efforts for the destitute, and God's 
blessing on the churches which make the ef- 
forts. The committee say : " You no doubt, dear 

* On motion of Mr. C. A. Morris. 



13 

brethren, lament with us, that this spirit of 
Christ to extend the Redeemer's kingdom on 
earth, has communicated itself to the American 
German churches at so late an hour; after it 
has already performed wonders of love, for years 
past in other denominations of our country. 
For wheresoever it breathes upon a field of 
dry bones, it is also often accompanied by a 
more vital state of religion in the minds and 
hearts of men at home, and always attended 
with many blessed consequences to those who 
take an active part." The committee then pro- 
ceed to " account for this grievous fact;" which 
they do, by presenting the considerations, that 
the congregations were widely scattered over 
the country, and receiving constant acces- 
sions from Europe, in consequence of which, 
unity of action was made extremely difficult 
of attainment; that there were constant de- 
mands for aid in the erection of new churches ; 
that the minds of the people had not been suffi- 
ciently informed on the subject, and convinced 
of their duty, and that this was owing in part 
to the negligence of the ministers ; and that ex- 
perimental piety was at so low a state, as not 
to excite a sufficient degree of zeal, self-denial, 
and liberality for the extension of the Redeem- 



14 

er's kingdom : which low degree of piety was 
to be ascribed in no small measure to the defi- 
ciency of ministers in proportion to the number 
of congregations. After eloquently urging the 
duty and necessity of more active exertions, the 
Committee conclude by proposing six resolu- 
tions, in which they recommend the observance 
of a monthly concert of prayer for missions ; the 
appointment by each synod of one of its mem- 
bers for the formation of an executive committee 
for missionary purposes, to meet once a year, 
whose business it should be to appoint mission- 
aries, point out the missionary ground, and hus- 
band the missionary funds ; they advise that 
each minister preach once a year to his congre- 
gation, and take a collection in behalf of mis- 
sions; that the General Synod publish an ad- 
dress to all the synods and churches, shewing 
the necessity, the duty, and the advantages of 
such missionary exertions; that all synods be 
recommended to encourage pious and talented 
young men to prepare for the gospel ministry, 
and missionary labors ; and finally that the ex- 
ecutive missionary committee be instructed: 
" first to supply the vacant destitute places 
within the bounds of our church by itinerant 
preachers, and as soon after that as possible, 



15 

and as their pecuniary resources may admit, 
also to extend their cares and labors to the con- 
version of the heathen." 

These resolutions were unanimously adopted, 
and it was recommended to all ministers in con- 
nection with the Synod, to read the report of 
the Committee to their respective congregations. 

At the same meeting it was also resolved: 
"That this Synod recommend the holding of a 
Missionary Convention of Lutheran Ministers at 
Mechanicsburg, Pa., at the time of the meeting 
of the West Pennsylvania Synod, in October, 
1835." This resolution had its origin in a letter 
from a conference district of the W. Pa. Synod, 
recommending the formation of a missionary so- 
ciety with special reference to the far west. The 
synod also resolved : # " That we do most grateful- 
ly rejoice and bless God for the successful labors 
of the Rev. G-utzlatT, our German brother of the 
faith, now a missionary in China; and to these 
labors we would not fail to add, as a similar 
cause for gratitude, those of other missionaries — 
That it be recommended to all our District Sy- 
nods to recommend to their respective churches 
that they pray for the success of the said Rev. 
Brother, and that a missionary spirit be poured 

* On motion of Rev. Dr. Morris. 



16 

out upon all our American Lutheran churches — 
That it be recommended to the several District 
Synods to give at their ensuing meetings, an ex- 
pression of their sentiments and feelings respect- 
ing the establishment of a foreign mission by the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States" 
The following extracts from the Pastoral Ad- 
dress issued by this General Synod, are worthy 
of notice in this connection. " Another precious 
morsel of intelligence for our dear people, is the 
fact that brethren's minds were so full charged 
with missionary fire, that quite a number of re- 
solutions, and all of them of first rate import- 
ance, were passed at our late convention, touch- 
ing the missionary cause." " Desirous of pur- 
suing a course for missionary enterprise which 
might be least objectionable and yet successful, 
the General Synod have deemed it advisable to 
propose the holding of a convention of Lutheran 
ministers, at Mechanicsburgh, at the time of 
the meeting of the West Pennsylvania Synod. 
We have had missionary societies hitherto in 
various parts of the United States, but how long 
have they flourished, or retained vigor enough 
to enable them to continue to act well ? We have 
been rich in good reports, spirited resolutions, 
and some excellent sermons; but after all we 



17 

have no missionary preacher in all the land, 
from Maine to New Orleans, wholly given up to 
the work, and we have no fund. Some of the 
reasons of all this are, we conceive, very obvi- 
ous. We have lacked the beneficent spirit, and 
our forces have been too much divided — we 
have thought it was good to be alone. We are 
now invited, however, by the above resolution, 
to try the ' united policy' — to have one rallying 
point instead of many. To Mechanic sburg, 
then, and to the 2d of October next, we must 
look for something to be done commensurate 
with our strong desires, high expectations, and 
the present urgent wants of the church." "If 
our people act only moderately, but act together, 
they can satisfy all the wants of their church, 
and accomplish a vast amount of good besides." 
It will be observed that in all this action 
Home Missions appear to be holding the chief 
place in the affections of the Synod. The ori- 
ginal resolution adopted in the Synod of 1833, 
which may be regarded as the leading step, the 
first formal act of the series, one of whose re- 
sults is our meeting at this time as a society, 
was introduced by a preamble setting forth the 
destitution of the church and the loud calls for 
help at home. The foreign cause was made to 

3 



18 

hold a very subordinate place. Still it was evi- 
dently gaining more and more regard. This 
Synod appears to have been deeply interested 
in the general subject, giving token by its pulsa- 
tion of the state of the church's heart; and a 
strong desire was evident in the body to do 
something worthy for the cause of Christ. 

In accordance with one of the foregoing reso- 
lutions, a convention of ministers was held at 
Mechanicsburg, Pa., in October 1835, which re- 
sulted in the formation of the Central Missiona- 
ry Society, with the design "to send the gospel 
of the Son of God to the destitute portions of 
the Lutheran church in the United States, by 
means of missionaries; and by assisting for a 
season such congregations of said church as are 
unable to support the gospel; and ultimately to 
co-operate in sending it to the heathen world." 
Although the operations of this Society were 
directed principally to domestic missions, yet 
the influence of its formation could not fail to 
be felt on the whole cause of missions. The 
duty of engaging in foreign missionary efforts 
came now more into consideration, and was 
discussed in various portions of the church. A 
lively interest in the subject began to be widely 
felt, and to manifest itself in different places, 



19 

and in a variety of forms. Resolutions advo- 
cating the claims of the foreign field were passed 
by several of the synods; and while the Home 
Missionary, under the direction of the Central 
Society, was actively engaged in his duties, and 
in various parts of Zion men were sent out to 
minister to the destitute, the feeling and the 
conviction gained ground, that the heathen 
ought no longer to be neglected — that it was 
full time for us as a church to be up and doing 
in the great work of sending them the gospel. 

Just about this time arrived letters from Gutz- 
lafFin China,* and Rhenius in India, appealing 
to the German churches in this country for 
co-operation and support in their labors. Al- 
most universally this appeal was heard as the 
voice of God. The conviction seemed to be as 
deep as it was instantaneous that now was the 
time to act — that it would be unworthy and 
sinful any longer to refrain. The following 
extract from a communication of Dr. S. S. 
Schmuker, introducing the letter of Rhenius to 
the church through the columns of the Lutheran 
Observer, (Jan. 13, 1837,) expresses views and 
feelings which soon became widely prevalent. 
" It is with feelings of no ordinary interest that 
I transmit for publication the inclosed appeal 

* See Appendix A. 



20 

of that distinguished missionary, the Rev. Mr. 
Rhenius, in behalf of the perishing millions of 
Asia, which reached me some weeks since. 
There seems to be something providential in the 
conjunction of circumstances in which it reach- 
es us. For sometime past the spirit of God has 
been directing the attention of some of the Ger- 
man churches in our land to the subject of for- 
eign missions ; of this fact the minutes of recent 
synodical meetings, and the interesting columns 
of the Observer bear ample and pleasing testi- 
mony. And when at this juncture we are si- 
multaneously called on by the two most dis- 
tinguished German missionaries now in the for- 
eign field, the celebrated Gutzlaff, and the in- 
defatigable Rhenius, by whose instrumentality 
he was called to enter on his blessed career, we 
may well acknowledge the hand of Divine Pro- 
vidence — and regard this as a call of the Spirit 
for us to aid by men and means in preaching the 
unsearchable riches of Christ to the benighted 
heathen. The more immediate requirement is 
for pecuniary aid, but men are also needed; 
and I am happy to add that one of our students 
has designated himself for this work ; and we 
trust the Lord will hereafter raise up many 
more." 



21 

The letter of Rhenius is too long for recital 
here. He was at the time laboring in Palam- 
cottah, in the district of Tinnevelley, in the 
south-eastern part of Hindostan — a field hal- 
lowed by the footsteps, and blessed by the la- 
bors of the sainted Swartz. He had been in 
^connection with the Church Missionary Society 
of England, but for reasons which were after- 
wards shown to be not dishonorable to him, 
that connection had just been dissolved, and he 
and his companions were thrown on their own 
resources and the help of God. And it was cer- 
tainly an ordering of providence worthy of care- 
ful regard, that his strong appeal should reach 
our churches just at the period, when the new 
energy was diffusing itself through them. That 
appeal rung through our Zion, and was respond- 
ed to by thousands of hearts. Rhenius must be 
sustained, was the universal feeling — God bids 
us go on in the work of foreign missions, "was the 
general conviction. 

On the 27th of May, 1837, the General Synod 
met at Hagerstown, Md., and among its earliest 
business appointed a committee to bring in a 
minute expressive of the sense of the Synod on 
the subject of foreign missions. This commit- 
tee subsequently reported the following pre- 



22 

amble and resolutions, which were adopted: 
"Whereas several of the synods associated with 
this body have, at their recent sessions, express- 
ed an earnest desire that the Evangelical Luthe- 
ran church in the United States should engage 
in the foreign missionary cause, and have in- 
structed their delegates to advocate the measure 
before the General Synod ; and whereas it falls 
within the appropriate province of the General 
Synod to express its advisory opinion on a sub- 
ject so intimately connected with the extension 
of the Redeemer's kingdom : therefore in view of 
the injunction of our risen Saviour, to preach 
the gospel to every creature, and in view of the 
fact that the spirit of God has for sometime past 
been exciting the German churches to a sense 
of their duty on the subject of foreign missions, 
it is hereby 

" Resolved 1st, That we regard with cordial ap- 
probation the proposed Convention for the or- 
ganization of a Foreign Missionary Society, 
about to hold its session in this place. 

" Resolved 2nd, That we regard the calls of 
those distinguished and devoted German labor- 
ers in the foreign field, Rhenius, Gutzlaff, and 
their associates, as specially providential ; reach- 
ing us as they did, at a time when many hearts 



23 

had been prepared by the spirit of God to re- 
spond to their appeal. 

"Resolved 3rdly, That the call being addressed 
indiscriminately to the German churches of our 
land, implies a seasonable admonition, that our 
sectarian divisions should be forgotten in the 
conviction, that we are all brethren in Christ ; 
and affords an appropriate occasion for fraternal 
co-operation between the churches so nearly al- 
lied by unity of national descent, similarity of 
doctrines, geographical proximity, and intima- 
cy of social relations. 

Resolved 4thly, That the plan adopted ought 
in the opinion of this Synod, to embrace in it a 
connection with the American Board of Com- 
missions for Foreign Missions.^" 

The convention alluded to in the first of these 
resolutions, consisting of forty-four delegates, to 
whom were added the other clerical and lay 
members of the General Synod, met on the 30th 
of May, and formed a society, to be called 
" The German Foreign Missionary Society, and 
to embrace all churches and individuals of 
German descent or association in the United 
States," who might comply with the conditions 

* This report is signed by Benjamin Kurtz, Henry N. Pohlman, Ben- 
jamin Keller, David Medtart, S. S. Schmuker. 



24 

of its constitution. Its object was declared to 
be "to promote the foreign missionary spirit, 
and to assist in extending the knowledge of our 
blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." The 
title, " German Foreign Missionary Society" was 
adopted with the view and expectation of eli- 
citing the co-operation of all the churches of 
German descent in the work: and with the 
same view a circular letter was prepared and 
addressed to those churches. But such co-ope- 
ration not resulting, in consequence of their 
formation of distinct associations for the same 
work, at a subsequent meeting (in May, 1841,) 
the title was changed to that of " The Foreign 
Missionary Society of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church in the United States." This society at 
once resolved to support Rhenius and his asso- 
ciates in the Palamcottah mission, provided sa- 
tisfactory answers were received to inquiries 
respecting the wants of that mission, and the 
causes of its separation from the Church Mis- 
sionary Society ; which inquiries the correspond- 
ing secretary, the Rev. Dr. Krauth, was directed 
to make by communication with the Church 
Missionary Society, with Rhenius, and with 
other sources of information. The interest in 
the missionary cause continued to increase ; the 



25 

churches manifested a commendable liberality, 
and a remittance of funds was in a short time 
made to India. From some congregations in 
Pennsylvania not connected with the Society, 
particularly from Philadelphia, generous remit- 
tances were also made through private hands; 
and the Synod of South Carolina appropriated a 
donation of five hundred dollars for the purpose 
of procuring a printing press for the mission. 

In the beginning of the year 1839, intelligence 
was received of the death of Rhenius, who fell 
in the midst of widely extended usefulness, 
loved, revered, and lamented. As his associates 
expressed a determination to maintain their in- 
dependence, and sustain the station, our Soci- 
ety, having received satisfactory information of 
the character of the mission, determined to con- 
tribute aid to their support. Subsequently it 
was learned that they had renewed their con- 
nection with the Church Missionary Society, 
and were no longer an independent mission. 
Upon the receipt of this information, the Society 
resolved to adopt for itself a station, and as soon 
as practicable to send out a missionary to es- 
tablish there a mission under its own exclusive 
control. In May, 1840, the Rev. F. Heyer was 
appointed missionary, and immediately ad- 

4 



26 

dressed himself to preparation for his departure. 
After consultation with the American Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the Society 
determined to direct its attention to the Tele- 
goos, an interesting and numerous people in 
Southern India. 

At the meeting of the Society in May 1841, it 
was resolved to form a connection with the A. B. 
C. F. M., transacting its business through that 
board, while yet preserving its distinct character 
as a Lutheran society. This measure, though 
adopted by a majority, met with opposition 
from many who thought it best to act alone, inde- 
pendently and directly : and subsequent events 
having given sufficiently clear indications that 
the true interests of the church were best to be 
promoted, and the fullest amount of activity in 
this cause was to be gained, by an independent 
organization, the proposed union was not con- 
summated. But in consequence of the adop- 
tion of this proposition, and in expectation of 
such a union with the American Board, Mr. 
Heyer resigned his appointment as missionary 
of the Society. The Pennsylvania Synod had 
maintained its distinct missionary organization, 
acting with much zeal and liberality, and en- 
listing in co-operatian with itself some portions 



27 

of the church which were not connected with 
the General Synod, and therefore did not take 
part in the General Society. The South Caro- 
lina Synod, sympathizing with the feeling which 
prompted the declining of a connection with 
any other association, and preferring an inde- 
pendent action as a Lutheran institution, di- 
rected its contributions into the same channel. 
On Mr. Heyer's withdrawal from the General 
Society, the Pennsylvania Society determined 
to send him out under its direction. Accord- 
ingly, after receiving his instructions at a public 
meeting in Philadelphia, he embarked at Bos- 
ton, October 14, 1841, and reached India in the 
following spring, being the first missionary from 
the Lutheran church in the United States. He 
very soon established a mission at Guntoor, 
where he has been blessed with great success, 
and is still industriously laboring. 

Meanwhile the General Society continued to 
receive funds and to make efforts ; though for a 
time the zeal of the churches seems to have 
slightly cooled. Some were beginning to waver 
and lose confidence, and to go back to the er- 
roneous notion that all their energies must be 
expended at home. But at length, at the meet- 
ing of the Society in May, 1843, the Rev. Walter 



28 

Gunn was appointed its missionary, with direc- 
tions to proceed to Southern India, to lahor 
among the Telegoo people, in conjunction with 
the Rev. F. Heyer, at Guntoor, provided an ar- 
rangement to this effect could be made with the 
Missionary Society of the Pennsylvania Synod.* 
Previous to his departure, Mr. Gunn visited 
many of the churches, exciting their interest, 
and calling out their aid in this cause. On the 
24 Ih of October, 1843, he received his instruc- 
tions from the Executive Committee, at a public 
meeting held in St. Matthew's church, Phila- 
delphia; and on the 18th of November follow- 
ing, embarked with his wife at Boston, for his 
destined home. He arrived at Guntoor on the 
18th of June, 1844, was heartily welcomed by 
Mr. Heyer, and entered at once upon his labors. 
Guntoor lies in lat. 16 deg. north, and long. 
80 deg. 30 m. east. It is regarded as a healthy 
place, though the heat during a portion of the 
year is intense. It is also considered a favora- 
ble position for a missionary station. Its popu- 
lation is estimated at 16,000, and there are se- 
veral populous villages surrounding it. Its dis- 
tance from the sea-coast is about thirty miles. 

* Such an arrangement was made, and a " Plan of Union" 
adopted, which bids fair to be followed with the happiest re- 
sults. See Appendix B. 



29 

Thus has the Lutheran church in the United 
States begun to discharge her duties to the hea- 
then. A mission is now established under her 
auspices, which has already been productive of 
good, and which, we trust, is destined to ac- 
complish great things for the heathen, and for 
the church at home. The Lord has evidently 
smiled upon this undertaking. The letters of 
the brethren, Heyer and Gunn, which have ap- 
peared in the papers of our church, give most 
encouraging accounts of the success of the mis- 
sion. A house for public worship and for 
schools has been erected; about 150 scholars are 
daily receiving instruction; the gospel is fre- 
quently preached to the natives and others ; and 
the missionaries have been blessed with health 
and with some valuable friends. 

And meanwhile, the domestic operations of 
the church have not been impeded but greatly 
advanced. Many new churches have been 
built ; ministers have gone out into the field of 
duty; many of our institutions have received 
greatly increased assistance and affectionate 
regard; and in general, more has been done 
at home for the cause of righteousness; and 
through the activity of our denomination the 
name of the adorable Redeemer receives in- 
creasing praise. 



30 

And now, brethren, is there not an utterance 
of thankfulness from our hearts in view of these 
facts? Do we not gratefully acknowledge the 
hand of God, in this course of events, and be- 
hold him evidently owning and accepting our 
enterprise? Are we not glad that we have 
made such a beginning of the discharge of our 
duty to the heathen? Do we not rejoice that 
our own brethren, sent away from the midst of 
us with our prayers, our invocation of God's 
blessing upon them, and sustained by our con- 
tributions, are now laboring, and laboring so 
successfully in heathen lands ? Truly, we have 
cause to be grateful. This is the Lord's doing, 
and to Him belongs the praise. And is there 
not a voice of encouragement in these facts ? We 
see how much the Lord has done for us. We 
see how He has blessed our efforts. We see 
how He has requited our labors in the foreign 
field with increase at home. Here is abundant 
reason for encouragement. We have no ground 
for apprehension or despondency. Every thing 
in the past excites hope for the future. What 
has been done may be but a slight foretaste of 
what may yet be realized if the church does but 
prove faithful to herself, and to her Master. 

And will she not prove faithful ? Do not the 



31 

truths that have now been brought before us 
teach us a lesson of duty? We must not, we 
dare not, falter or turn back from the work in 
which we have engaged. Our foreign mission- 
ary operations must be sustained. The wants 
of perishing millions demand it. The interests 
of the church at home demand it. The com- 
mand of our Master enjoins it upon us. We 
are pledged to our brethren who are now in the 
field, and we cannot desert them. We are 
pledged to Christ and we must redeem that 
pledge. Our mission must be sustained. But 
not only sustained. Its means of usefulness 
must be increased. Its sphere of operations 
must be enlarged. We must do more in this 
cause. Brethren, we are not yet doing our 
duty. The church has but stretched forth an 
infant's arm, when she has a giant's sinews. 
She has but cast a mite into the Lord's treasu- 
ry, while she has so great an abundance of pos- 
sessions. Her energies have not yet been drawn 
out — her benevolence is not yet fully enlisted. 
Many are yet blind who ought to be made to 
see. Many hear not the groaning of the prison- 
ers, and the sighing of the captives. 

I appeal to you, therefore, in behalf of this 
cause. I appeal to you, fathers and brethren in 



32 

the ministry, and I pray you with all earnest- 
ness, to lay this matter upon your hearts. 

For the sake of the church which you love, give to 
the missionary cause your zealous support. It is 
closely allied with the domestic cause. The 
experience of other denominations proves this — 
nay, the history of our own church proves it. 
It has been seen that an interest awakened for 
the heathen produces an exceedingly healthful 
effect at home : making Christians more sensi- 
ble of the value of their privileges, and more 
grateful for them, and cultivating by exercise 
many of the most precious and lovely graces of 
piety. A proper interest in this cause, will serve 
to strengthen the influence and elevate the 
character of our denomination ; will promote a 
spirit of unity by swallowing up many of the 
little jealousies and prejudices, and separations, 
which the great enemy of souls scatters like 
tares in the Lord's vineyard. I do verily be- 
lieve, brethren, that this cause, properly, pray- 
erfully, earnestly, carried on, may be made one 
of our strongest bonds of union, a grand har- 
monizer; while in our several pastoral charges 
it may be rendered a most efficient aid in the 
work of the ministry. And for the sake of our 
own domestic interests alone, we ought to give 
it our countenance and earnest aid. 



33 

For the sake of your brethren who have gone out 
with self-denying and devoted spirit to the missiona- 
ry field, give this cause an earnest, active sup- 
port. They look to you for aid and upholding. 
They rely upon you to guide the action of the 
church at home, and to send them means and 
fellow laborers. For the sake of the heathen give 
it your support. O hearken to the cry that 
comes wafted over the ocean from almost every 
quarter of the globe, the cry of the perishing, 
the cry of the almost despairing. See the mil- 
lions on millions sunk in idolatry and degrada- 
tion, and going down to dark graves ■ — millions 
of immortal beings with hearts like ours to suf- 
fer and rejoice, with minds to think and won- 
der, and be perplexed and fear. For the sake of 
these millions who have not the gospel, aid with 
energy this sacred cause. 

And for the sake of Christ the Lord, give it 
your faithful, serious, steady support. "Go ye 
into all the world, and preach the gospel to eve- 
ry creature." How full ! How explicit ! What 
room is there for hesitation? What avenue of 
escape ? Who is a faithful standard bearer in 
"the sacramental host of God's elect," who 
either neglects this duty through carelessness, 
or shrinks from it through fear? Who is a 

5 



34 

scribe well instructed in the things pertaining 
to the gospel, who has yet to learn that the 
heathen are to be evangelized by the instrumen- 
tality of the church? What minister under- 
stands his commission who considers all his ef- 
forts to be limited within the sphere of his own 
parish, or his own branch of the church? Je- 
sus gives us the world as a field; and he means 
that the field shall be cultivated and bear a rich 
harvest to his praise ; and by us is that cultiva- 
tion to be performed. 

I appeal thus to you who have been honored 
with the ministry of reconciliation, not because 
I presume to think that you are ignorant or for- 
getful of these things, but because upon the 
ministry rests a great responsibility in this mat- 
ter — and because I would have our hearts stir- 
red within us in view of what is to be done, 
and our minds led to serious reflection upon the 
important issues that will flow from our con- 
duct with reference to it. Upon the ministry it 
devolves in a great degree to awaken the people 
to a sense of their duty, to give them proper in- 
formation with regard to the state of the world, 
and of missions, to excite them to benevolent 
action, and to develope the resources of the 
church. Upon the ministry will rest in no slight 



35 

degree the blame, if the church be remiss and 
inactive in this cause. And therefore I appeal 
to you, Fathers and Brethren, and pray you to 
carry on vigorously the work so happily begun. 
But, my hearers, this work devolves not upon 
the ministry alone. It needs, it must have the 
active and energetic co-operation of the mem- 
bers of the church and of our congregations. 
To you who form these congregations, we look, 
under God, for the strength which shall uphold 
the missionary cause. God has entrusted to 
your care the means by which the work of evan- 
gelization is to be carried on. Unless you co- 
operate with your pastors — unless you come 
actively forward with your contributions and 
your influence, though the minister's heart be 
burning with zeal, he will be able to do very 
little. The silver and the gold are in your 
hands. You are the people to whom the Lord 
looks for a return for all the blessings which he 
has so generously bestowed upon you. You 
have enlisted in the cause of the Redeemer, and 
are bound to spread his gospel over the whole 
earth. Upon you the heathen nations have a 
claim. Unto you they stretch out their hands 
and utter their imploring cry. And can you sit 
at your rich banquet of spiritual things, faring 



36 

sumptuously, and refuse any crumbs to the beg- 
gar? Have you no care for the souls of those 
for whom your Redeemer died ? Have you no 
desire to spread abroad the tidings of that sal- 
vation in which you rejoice ? And do you not 
desire to see the church at home prospering? 
Do not fear that by contributing to this cause 
you diminish your ability to do good at home, 
or weaken the strength of Zion. I repeat it, 
your engaging actively in this cause is one of 
the very best methods of promoting the pros- 
perity, spiritual and temporal, of the church at 
home. A congregation in which an intelligent 
missionary spirit prevails will be a living and 
prosperous congregation. The Lord will own 
and reward your efforts in his cause. The libe- 
ral soul in this case shall indeed be made fat. 
Your contributions, prayers, and exertions will 
draw down refreshing dews on your own souls, 
and on the communion of which you are mem- 
bers. Believe that this is so, and make the trial 
in faith. 

I do not say that this is the only cause to 
which you are to contribute. God forbid. This 
is but one — though viewed in all its bearings 
it is perhaps the noblest, and greatest — of the 
many ways opened by the Lord for the out- 



37 

acting of Christian benevolence. You have 
much to do in charitable work at home. But 
the foreign field must not be overlooked. And 
God has given the church abundant means to 
meet all her wants. And just as you are, just 
where you are, struggling even with difficulties, 
your own houses of worship perhaps not yet 
paid for, the wants around you great — Christ 
your Lord and Master says to you, "Preach the 
gospel to every creature." Work for the Lord, 
and he will help you. But it is not simply your 
money that this cause demands. It calls for 
something better and beyond this — something 
that will lead you instinctively to contribute to 
its support. It asks for your interest. We 
would have you to be interested in the mission- 
ary cause. Make yourselves acquainted with 
it. Learn the condition of the world. Learn 
to consider the cause of missions as identical 
with the cause of Christianity — the cause to 
which you owe your hope of heaven — the cause 
to which you have covenanted to devote all you 
are and all you have — the cause for which the 
Son of God came to earth and died. The Chris- 
tian spirit is a missionary spirit. The conver- 
sion of the world — an object overpowering the 
mind in its contemplation — an object compassed 



38 

in its fulness only by the intelligence and love 
of the divine Saviour — this is the object of mis- 
sions — this ought to be the object of every one 
who has named the name of Christ. 

I appeal to you therefore, and I would that I 
could utter a voice that would reach the ear, 
and stir the heart of every member of our Lu- 
theran Zion. I appeal to you, and by your love 
for the church of your fathers, the church of 
your conversion, by your own hope of salvation, 
by the sufferings and wants of perishing mil- 
lions, by your love for the Saviour, by your 
Christian profession, I pray you to aid with your 
prayers, your influence, your contributions, in 
carrying on the cause of foreign missions. Pray 
fervently for God's blessing upon it. Take a 
large interest in its operations, making your- 
selves acquainted with the necessities and the 
success of the mission already established by 
us, and with the doings of other christians; and 
contribute generously out of your possessions 
for its support. The General Society needs 
funds. Our missions ought to be enlarged. 
New missionaries ought to be sent out. To 
you, the beloved people of our various charges, 
we look for the means with which to meet 
these wants. And would that from your num- 



39 

bers, from the young men that are amongst 
you, from your own children, might rise up 
some who would give themselves to this work, 
and thus be blessings to the church, blessings 
to you their friends, blessings to the world, 
while preaching unto the Gentiles the unsearch- 
able riches of Christ. 

But, brethren, it will do little good merely to 
have our feelings excited while we are here to- 
gether, and under the impulse of that excite- 
ment make one spasmodic effort, and then be 
afterwards lifeless. I shall have occupied your 
time to little purpose, if this be the only result 
of our meeting. I would indeed stir up your 
feelings. I would if possible enkindle enthusi- 
asm. I would, if within my power, excite a 
wave in this great sea of hearts before me, 
which should not cease to heave, until its wid- 
ening circles embraced the whole world of 
souls. But something more than feeling is re- 
quired. As has been ably and eloquently shown 
by an eminent divine, of this city, this cause is 
to look for success to the religion of principle. 
We must be the friends of missions upon sound 
and deliberately adopted principle ; upon princi- 
ple which will lead us to act regularly, and 
systematically. 



40 

Suffer me then ill conclusion, to urge upon all 
my hearers, hoth ministers and people, the im- 
portance of regular, systematic action in this mat- 
ter. And I present this to you after the appeal, 
in order to point out a way of accomplishing the 
end of that appeal. One great reason why more 
is not done among us in this work, is doubtless 
found in the want of proper information on the 
subject among the people. Surely our 150,000 
members might be induced to contribute a far, 
far larger annual amount to the cause of mis- 
sions than they now contribute. Missionary in- 
telligence ought to be brought before them, not 
occasionally and at long intervals, but regular- 
ly and frequently, so that they come to regard 
it as associated with the services of the sanctu- 
ary ; and efforts in this cause as an habitual duty. 
Many of my brethren in the ministry can bear 
witness, as I can, to the beneficial results of the 
monthly concert, or monthly missionary meet- 
ing. Did time allow, its bearing on the cause 
of Christ, its good effects, might easily be set 
forth. I would most strenuously urge its ob- 
servance on the churches. But then brethren, 
if we would have it profitable, we must be la- 
borious. A minister must take pains to make 
his missionary meeting interesting. For the 



41 

faithful minister, that is not an idle day which 
precedes the evening for this meeting. Im- 
portant facts must be selected and placed be- 
fore the people. They thus become inform- 
ed — information awakens interest — interest 
prompts to prayer and effort — and the monthly 
collections taken at such meetings form a habit 
of contributing, and will produce a large reve- 
nue to the societies. And besides this, the 
church itself is profited by the improvement of 
individual character. Try it, brethren, and you 
will rejoice in the issue. Let then the duty of 
engaging in this cause, and its encouragements 
be faithfully preached. Let information be re- 
gularly diffused. Let the people be persuaded 
to read what the church is doing for the world, 
and the Lord, for the church — to furnish them- 
selves with some of the many interesting and 
exceedingly valuable periodicals devoted to the 
publishing of missionary intelligence. Let a 
system be adopted and adhered to. Let prayer 
be offered continually — and the work will suc- 
ceed. 

My dear hearer, upon you devolves a duty. 
You cannot lay it off upon your neighbor. O 

do it faithfully and in love ! Then blessed will 
you be ! At that great day, when the kingdoms 

6 



42 

of this world shall have become the kingdoms 
of the Lord and of his Christ — when the ran- 
somed of the Lord shall come to Zion with 
songs and everlasting joy — when wars and 
fighting shall be over, and righteousness and 
peace shall every where prevail, and from all 
parts of the earth shall go up the incense of a 
pure offering to Jehovah, you will know that 
your sincere efforts, however humble, have con- 
tributed to so sublime a result. Whose heart 
does not glow with zeal at such an anticipation ? 
Who is not ardent with desire to do something 
towards such a consummation? 

May the Great Head of the church make the 
Society which is here assembled abundantly in- 
fluential in producing this result, and use us all 
as instruments in the accomplishment of his 
glorious purposes. And so may blessing, and 
honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that 
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for- 
ever and ever ! 



APPENDIX. 



A. 

GUTZLAFF'S LETTER, 

To the German Protestant Churches in the United States of 
North America. 

It is thirteen years since I left Germany, my native country. 
But love to my countrymen still glows within me, and when- 
ever I meet with them I feel my heart drawn out in affection 
towards them. Ma}r I not then hope to be pardoned, if as a 
German and a Christian, I address myself to the German 
Christian churches of North America, on a subject which has 
long lain near my heart as a missionary among the Chinese ? 

Most cordially have I rejoiced at the universal sympathy 
manifested by the English churches of North America in the 
cause of missions, and it is my ardent prayer, that the same 
zeal may animate my countrymen and their descendants, in 
these holy operations. A church void of a desire to extend 
the kingdom of the Redeemer among the heathen, cannot, in 
the nature of things, develope the internal power of elevated 
spiritual life. It may be objected, that there are practical 
heathens to be found in sufficient number among Christians, 
whose conversion should form the first object of our attention. 

But independently of the fact taught by experience, that 
those churches which send out the most missionaries have the 
least cause to mourn over ungodliness in their own midst, and 
are themselves supplied with faithful ministers, it is the ex- 
press command of our Lord, to " go into all the world and 
preach the gospel to every creature." Had the holy Apostles 
reasoned thus, and confined their labors to Judea, until all its 
heathen had been converted, they would never have extended 
their steps be)'"ond its narrow limits, and all the nations would 
to this day still be wandering about in their ignorance and 
superstition. But they faithfully obeyed the command of their 



44 

Lord and their God, and while some tarried to preach the gos- 
pel to the Jews, others traveled through the whole Roman 
empire, and published abroad Christ and him crucified. 
Would we imitate their example, and verily we can do nothing 
better, then must we zealously comply with the requirements 
of God, to publish his word to foreign nations. When our 
Lord shall hereafter appear as judge of all the world, and 
gather all people and kindred around his tribunal, then will 
he institute a rigid inquiry into the mode in which we have 
traded {toucher getrieberi) with the treasures of the gospel, 
and communicated blessings to others from the rich abund- 
ance committed to our trust. 

In the name of our common Lord and Saviour, I therefore 
call upon my beloved countrymen and German brethren, to 
bestow their support upon this great and holy cause. It would 
be to me a source of heartfelt joy in these ends of the earth, 
to hear of the establishment of Gerwian Missionary, Bible, and 
Tract Societies, and to learn that in holy zeal one is vieing 
with the other. The Lord has abundantly blessed the church, 
rewarded the industry of its members with temporal posses- 
sions, and vouchsafed to them a rich participation in his good- 
ness and mercy. It is therefore perfectly natural, that my 
beloved countrymen should cherish a vivid sense of their sa- 
cred obligations to God, and never refuse to deposit upon his 
altar a portion of their earthly treasures for the promotion of 
his work. The work is great ; it demands the co-operation of 
the whole Christian world, and must be prosecuted with 
prayer and supplication if it is to prosper. 

I turn now to the shepherds of the Christian churches, as 
their unworthy fellow-laborer, and entreat them, most impor- 
tunately, to present this cause with energy to their church- 
members, that they may be induced to glorify the Saviour, 
who purchased them with his blood, among the heathen. 
Read diligently to them the missionary reports ; tell them 
what others are doing ; acquaint them with the fact that the 
Lord richly blesses the friends of missions and imparts his 
Spirit to them ; and then beg them also to contribute to this 
object. I have no doubt such a call would produce the de- 



45 

sired effect, How much is accomplished for the extension of 
the kingdom of God in the Palatinate of the Rhine, since the 
ministers have begun with true hearts to inculcate the ad- 
vancement of his cause from the pulpit ? The most indigent 
congregations have contributed largely and have not become 
poorer on that account. The flourishing Missionary Institute 
at Basle furnishes an evidence how much may be effected by 
Christians, if inspired by the love of the Saviour. How 
much more may be achieved by Christians in America, where 
no religious restrictions and contentions divert and break into 
shivers the power of the church, and where government sets 
no limits to its external operations ? Labor then to awaken 
and to cherish the spirit of missions, until the morning-star 
of eternal grace shall dawn upon the benighted nations of the 
earth. 

All the members of the congregations, if they earnestly 
desire it, can contribute more or less to the building up of 
God's house. May I not indulge the hope that before long 
some of the young men of German parentage will devote 
themselves to the service of God for the conversion of China, 
in order to glorify among these millions, the name of the 
blessed Redeemer? Until this day have I not seen one soli- 
tary name from America upon the mission-list ; and oh how 
this has grieved me! But now must all lukewarmness be 
expelled from the church. We must be privileged to recog- 
nize German youths among the missionaries of America, who, 
animated by the spirit of the Reformation, shall spread abroad 
the gospel with the fire and love lighted up in German bo- 
soms. Soon also shall we expect to behold numerous contri- 
butions in the list of names which German philanthrophy and 
piety have offered up to the Lord. We flatter ourselves with 
the hope, that after the lapse of a short time, we shall read 
of German missionary prayer meetings and anniversaries, and 
receive reports in the German language of Bible and tract 
societies. 

May the Lord crown with his blessing this word of love 
addressed to the understanding and hearts of my countrymen 
and urge them to an ardent participation (Zur feurigen 



46 

Theilnahme) in this illustrious work. What is all earthly 
enjoyment, what are the pleasures of this world, if we do not 
share with our suffering neighbor a portion of the abundance 
lavished upon us? What the advantages of our holy religion 
if we keep them laid up in a napkin ; if we refuse to com- 
municate to those in distant lands, still shrouded in darkness, 
the unspeakable riches of divine grace in Jesus Christ ? All 
our striving and laboring are mere trifling and vanity if we 
do not make the glory of God our aim ; and in no way can 
we bring more honor and glory to his sacred name, than by 
supporting those holy associations that contemplate the ex- 
tension of his kingdom. 

Few and simple are the words that fill up this sheet. Fain 
would I commend the great cause to you personally, and with 
my own lips. If, however, this earnest call from the distant 
east should reach the churches in the western world, it is 
to be hoped they will not esteem it lightly, because a very in- 
significant individual has sent it forth. The Lord Jesus Christ 
can bless the smallest and meanest effort if well intended. 
To him, therefore, I commend the cause, praying that He who 
can control every heart, may incline yours favorably. While 
I solicit an interest in your intercessions, I pray that the Lord 
may pour out his Holy Spirit copiously upon the German 
churches ; if this spirit of grace operates all will be life and 
power, and the divine efficacy so consolatory to believing 
hearts, will excite the immediate desire to communicate to 
others. May Christ dwell richly among you, and may his 
love constrain you and urge you on to every good work. 

CHARLES GUTZLAFF, 
Missionary among the Chinese. 



B. 
PLAN OF UNION. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Foreign Missionary Society 
deeming it important that the efforts of the friends of for- 
eign missions in the Lutheran church in this country should 



47 

be more fully concentrated, propose to form a connection with 
the Missionary Society of the Pennsylvania Synod upon the 
following general principles : 

1. Each Society shall for the present remain separate and 
distinct under its own peculiar organization, care being taken 
however to promote in their several spheres of action the ut- 
most harmony and love. 

2. Each Society shall have the nomination and appointment 
of its own missionaries, and shall provide for their embarka- 
tion, settlement and support ; each taking upon itself the 
whole management of all the agencies for collecting funds 
for this purpose. 

3. Both Societies shall occupy the same field of labor in 
the heathen world, and whatever differences of opinion there 
may be at home, shall endeavor as far as is consistent with 
the imperfection of human nature, to have but one interest 
and one aim in the foreign field. 

4. The missionaries of each Society shall labor together, 
and under the direction of the several executive committees, 
mutually adopt such plans for the furtherance of the gospel, 
and the upbuilding of the Redeemer's kingdom, by the estab- 
lishment of schools, catechetical lectures and preaching, and 
the distribution of Bibles and tracts, as shall seem to them 
advisable, and shall report jointly to the Secretaries of both 
Societies. 

5. This joint mission shall hereafter be known as "The 
American Lutheran Mission." 

6. There shall be an interchange of one or more Commis- 
sioners at each yearly meeting of the several societies for mutu- 
al consultation, prayer and effort in relation to the interests of 
the joint mission. 

Signed in behalf of the Foreign Missionary Society, by 

HENRY N. POHLMAN. 
In behalf of the Missionary Soc. of Penn. Synod, by 

J. C. BAKER, 
G. A. REICHERT, 
F. SCHMIDT. 



48 



CONSTITUTION 

Of the Foreign Missionary Society of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church in the United Slates, as amended 1843. 

Article I. The name of this Society shall he The Foreign 
Missionary Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 
the United States ; and shall embrace all churches and indi- 
viduals who may comply with the conditions of this Consti- 
tution. 

Art. II. The object of this Society, is to promote the fo- 
reign missionary spirit, and to assist in extending the know- 
ledge of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through- 
out the habitable world. 

Art. III. Any person may become a member of this Soci- 
ety, by the annual payment of $1 or more; the payment of 
$25, at one time shall constitute him or her a member for life. 
Honorary members may be elected by the Society at the re- 
gular meetings. 

Art. IV. The officers of this Society shall be a President, 
Vice-President, Executive Committee of five, a Recording and 
a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and two Auditors ; 
and such other officers as shall from time to time be found 
necessary ; all of whom shall continue in office until others 
are chosen. All officers shall be elected at the regular meet- 
ings of the Society, at which, nine members shall constitute a 
quorum. 

Art. V. It shall be the duty of the President, and in his 
absence, of the oldest Vice-President present, to preside at all 
meetings of the Society, and to perform such other official 
acts, as shall at any time be assigned him by the Society. 

Art. VI. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to 
keep a record of all the proceedings, and to notify the meet- 
ings of the Society at the call of the President. 

Art. VII. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct and 
superintend the correspondence of the Society, and of the 
Executive Committee, of which he shall be an ex-officio 
member. 



49 

Art. VIII. The Treasurer shall take charge of the Society's 
funds, and shall keep for the Society all moneys, notes, bonds, 
and other evidences of property; and shall pay out money 
only by order of the Executive Committee, taking proper 
vouchers for all moneys paid out, and keeping an accurate ac- 
count of the Society's receipts and expenditures. He shall 
make a full report to the Society, at each regular meeting, 
properly audited, of the receipts and expenditures ; and he 
shall also make a quarterly exhibition of the state of the funds 
to the Executive Committee ; and whenever called upon by the 
Executive Committee, to give bonds for the faithful execution 
of his trust. 

Art. IX. The Auditors shall examine the books and vouch- 
ers of the Treasurer annually, and if they shall find his ac- 
counts correctly kept and well vouched, they shall give a cer- 
tificate accordingly, which certificate they shall enter in full, 
in the Treasurer's books, and cause a duplicate to be trans- 
mitted to the Society, with the Treasurer's account or regular 
report. 

Art. X. The Executive Committee shall have the charge 
and management of the various interests and operations of 
the Society, taking all proper measures to excite and cherish 
a foreign missionary spirit. They shall endeavor to procure 
suitable missionaries ; to encourage theological students to 
devote themselves to the work of foreign missions ; to bring 
all the churches, by auxiliary societies and otherwise, to con- 
tribute liberally and regularly to the foreign missionary cause ; 
to direct the Secretary and Treasurer in the performance of 
their duties ; to appoint such other local or traveling agents as 
may be necessary to the vigorous prosecution of the business 
entrusted to them ; and to report to the Society at each of its 
meetings a full account of their proceedings. They shall 
meet as often as necessary, and three of their number shall 
constitute a quorum at any regular meeting. They may 
adopt any by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution of 
this Society. 

Art. XI. The meetings of this Society shall be held annu- 
ally at such time and place as they may fix upon. 



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Art. XII. There shall be maintained, as far as possible, 
the most perfect harmony and cooperation between this Soci- 
ety and the "American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions," in the prosecution of the great work of foreign 
missions. With this view, the Executive Committee of this 
Society shall avail themselves of the assistance, as it can be 
consistently rendered, of the officers of the American Board 
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and its publications, 
in exciting a missionary spirit. 

Art. XIII. Any Society may become auxiliary to this So- 
ciety by adopting the general principles of this Constitution, 
and resolving to cooperate with them; and the officers of 
auxiliary societies shall be ex-officio members of the Parent 
Society. 

Art. XIV. This Constitution may be altered or amended 
at any regular meeting, by a vote of two thirds of the mem- 
bers present, the proposed alteration either having been re- 
commended by the Executive Committee, or having been 
submitted to the Society at a previous meeting. 



leers of the Society. 

President, Rev. J. G. Schmucker, D. D. 

Vice-Presidents, Rev. P. A. Mayer, D. D., E. L. Hazelius, 

D. D., J. G. Morris, D. D., G. A. Lintner, D. D., G. W. 

Keil, D. Sherer, W. Artz, J. B. Davis, Jacob Sherer sen., 

C.Martin, Jonathan Ruthrauff, R. Weiser, C.F. SchaefFer, 

G. B. Miller, D. D., C. P. Kauth, D. D., Hon. William C. 

Bouck, and Messrs. C. A. Morris, P. W. Engs, and Lewis 

Kemp. 
Recording Secretary, Rev. J. Few Smith. 
Corresponding Secretary, Rev. Henry N. Pohlman, D. D. 
Auditors, Messrs. P. N. Bonesteel and C. A. Morris. 
Treasurer, Hon. William C. Bouck. 
Executive Committee, Rev. Henry N. Pohlman, D. D., Rev. J. 

Z. Senderling, Rev. W. D. Strobel, D. D., Rev. A. Crownse, 

and Rev. C. A. Smith. 






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